I'm Alive! And Kicking!

Okay, so I've turned into one of "those" bloggers.  Those non-blogging-bloggers.  Eek.  I have contemplated shutting down, just because (the perfectionist in me says) I'm not blogging with any regularity, partially on purpose, but the other half of me (the non perfectionist half) says, "aw, what the heck, just leave it there and use it when you want to."  Cool.  I'm cool with that.  I think I am mellowing out as I age, and that is a real. good. thing.

Had a few rough days there, November can sometimes arrive accompanied by sneak panic attacks warning me that depression could just be looming behind any given door, waiting to catch me unawares.  I think it has to do with the short days, less time outside, less sunlight and fresh air.  Accompanying a dear friend through some struggles that she is facing, and fearing for her as I watch her teeter on the edge of her own depression brought me to a bit of a shaky place myself.  I started keeping a journal for her, with words of encouragement, hope and experience, and it has been therapeutic for me as well as I remember the faithfulness of God to carry me through the dark times and prove Himself true and able. 

I just realized I didn't post an update after going for my ultrasound on the 29th of October but happily, thankfully, that pesky placenta has moved into its proper position and I am good to go.  The lab tech was not able to get a good enough view of the area in question to tell us the sex of the baby, so we're going to get a surprise.  Got a girl's name all picked out from start to finish but drawing blanks on the boys (gee, we've already used up 7 boys names, it starts to get tough!). 

'Tis the season, once again, and while I know my American friends are gearing up for Thanksgiving this week, we are already steeped in preparations for advent.  Oh, how I love this season.  Any season really, it is so good to contemplate the gifts He gives in each season of life.

So although you might not see me much right here, you will probably catch a glimpse of me a litle more often over here as I don my apron and make merry in the kitchen with my girls.  Today it's easy breezy graham fudge.  Oh yeah.  Second batch this year.  Eek.

I Choose Joy

I am so excited about this new year.  So blessed and happy as I reflect on this past year.  What a blessed Christmas time we spent, and what a great end to my year of “Peace”.  It truly was the epitome of peaceful and more reflective and meaningful than ever.

We took almost the entire season of Advent off of school to truly rest and revel in the season.  Baking, decorating, making Christmas cards from scratch, celebrating with advent verses and ornaments and Christmas songs each day.  Sleeping in, playing games, watching movies…. ah… familial bliss.

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional Christmas Dinner followed by a Candlelit Carol service at our church which was intimate and beautiful, back home through the snowy fields to cut the scrumptious Black Cherry Toblerone Chocolate Cake we had prepared for Jesus Birthday Cake, along with Hot Cranberry Wassail… mmm (will get these recipes up over at the Pantry soon).  We then let the kids open their stockings (very untraditional I know, but since Santa  doesn’t enter into the occasion in this house, that’s just how we do things) and the family game (Ticket to Ride) which we proceeded to play.

Christmas Day was relaxing and wonderful, we slept in, had a leisurely breakfast and calmly proceeded to open ONE gift per child per hour.  What a great idea this proved to be, it really brought peace and pleasure to the whole gift opening process, which I usually find to be a very busy, loud, messy and rather riotous time that leaves me feeling dazed and shell shocked when it’s all over. 

We are still in the process of simplifying the commercial aspect of Christmas, and trying to find our personal groove.  This year we chose to go with the four point idea of buying each child “something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.”   It gave us something to work with, but I’m not sure it’s THE fit for us or that we won’t try something else next year.  We’ll see.  I’m thinking of  letting the kids pick names, and buy for each other and then one special gift for each child from the parents, plus their Christmas tree ornament, plus one book, movie, or cd each.

Prairie Guy and I agreed not to buy gifts for each other at all this year, which was a good thing.  We are the kind of people who when we need/want/find something, we love to buy it for each other and we do.  Year round.  Since he had just bought me a treadmill at the end of October, plus all new appliances at the end of the summer (dishwasher just got hooked up a few days ago though!) well…. it was an extravagant year in the spending department.  I have a few fun gifts in mind for him for his birthday but we decided to keep Christmas spending free, and it was a relief.  It was beautiful to just revel in each other’s presence.

My extended family decided to pool money to give to a project of our choosing.  We decided on the World Vision 12 months of giving program where you give one yearly amount but each month a specific project  takes place where a village receives, animals, clinic supplies, fruit trees, school supplies or something of the sort.  I am very excited about this pick because it will mean that each month we can look at the project, pray for that village and the gift will keep living in us throughout the year.

Now, out with the old and in with the new.  As I said, I am very excited about 2010.  I started “listening” for my word back in the start of December and it came to me mid month when we were making our Christmas Cards.  We stamped the word JOY on a distressed piece of cardstock in rich burgundy ink.  As I looked at a completed card that one of my daughters handed to me I just smiled.  Yes.  That’s my word.  Then, wouldn’t you know that in the sermon that Sunday our pastor must have used the word “joy” about 100 times.  Exhorting us to take joy in the Giver of Life and the life and goodness He bestows.  

Joy.  I’m ready.  Joy in waking, joy in baking, joy in cleaning, joy in gleaning, joy in growing, joy in sowing,  joy in jogging, joy in blogging, joy in reading, joy in leading, joy as  lover, joy as mother, joy in playing, joy in praying.  Wishing you all God’s Joy for 2010.

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Acts 2:28

 

 

Joy blocks available for purchase here.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Days 14-19

As promised here is a conglomeration of the past week's advent celebrations in our home. The intensity has been building daily and we are all excited to get to the star and put it up on the top of the tree very soon!

Day 14; Extol Him.
Remember to extol his work, which men have praised in song. All mankind has seen it; men gaze on it from afar. Job 36:24,25

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:1-3

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. Psalm 117:1-2

Key Word, Extol
Symbol, Bells
Action, ring bells
Songs, I heard the Bells, Come on Ring those Bells, Carol of the Bells

Day 15 Mary
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God... "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-28,

Nativity Figure, Mary
Key Word, Mary
Action; smiley face with fingers(merry),
Songs; Mary did you know; Mary, sweet Mary; Precious Promise; Breath of Heaven

Advent Box, letter M

Day 16 Joseph
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Mat 1:18-24,

Nativity Figure; Joseph
Key Word; Joseph
Action; sawing motion (carpenter).
Songs; Joseph’s lullaby,
Advent box letter J

Day 17 Bethlehem

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

Symbol; Nativity Creche,
Key Word; Bethlehem
Action; rubbing straw between fingers and thumbs
advent box straw bundle
Songs; Away in a manger, Not that far from Bethlehem, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Day 18 Baby Jesus.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6,7

Nativity Jesus in manger.
Key Word; Child
Action; cradle baby
Songs; What Child is this? Rose of Bethlehem; Born in Bethlehem, Jesus Born in Bethlehem, Our God is with us. Jesus, oh what a wonderful child. Welcome to our world (78)

Day 19 Angels.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-15

Nativity Angels
Key Word; Angels
Action; halo
Songs; The First Noel, Angels from the Realms of Glory; Angels We have heard on high

Just Checkin' In...

Well thanks ladies for all the warm well wishes and setting me "free" from my daily advent posts =) I missed just posting spontaneously and without premeditation as well. I will post a couple more advent conglomeration posts but I will piggy back them into one post that covers multiple days. Yay! I'm breathing a big sigh of relief. All of a sudden "blogging without obligation" went out the window with that idea =)

I've been holed up at home for the past few days (including from Church), I'm not sure I have ever done that before, or if I have I was too sick to enjoy it, but man... I hope this isn't heathenistic but I had the most WONDERFUL morning home alone in a quiet house (babe was here, but slept all morning). I didn't even veg out... I wasn't THAT sick, I just had too awful of a cough to go out in the sub zero temps. I got the whole house tidied, quiet music playing in the background, everything stayed all nice and clean the way I left it, I got a nice lunch on the table with flowers and china all in place for when the family got home. It was positively delightful.

I never realized until that moment that I can count on one hand the times that I have been home alone. I didn't realize how noisy and busy and crazy my life is until all of a sudden I am in this same "place" sans all the action of five little chicklets. The only time I get "away" from the kids is usually shopping (not relaxing,and rarely do I go shopping alone, usually I have all of them, at the very least I have the baby), or scrapbooking for a few hours once a month with girlfriends. But both those things are still DOING. I still have this "list" of stuff I want to get ACCOMPLISHED. Being home alone yesterday, just alone, with no pressing demands or to do list made me realize how very, very beneficial it would be to my sanity to get a time like that every once in awhile. Somehow those two and a half hours gave me a cushion and padding that equipped me to deal with the noise and punches that made up the rest of the day, and even into today. I just feel recharged.

I know I have often looked down my nose at the "me time" philosophy, the "you have to take care of yourself if you are going to be any good at taking care of anyone else" idea. I think there is danger there, in the area of expectations and disappointment and self centredness... but in reality, if not taken advantage of, in small doses, I think it does matter for a woman to have some moments to herself where she is not frantically serving or "to-do-ing" or even "on call", to just let down her guard, and hang. The funny thing is that I chose to use that time doing things that still were serving for the most part. Not because I had to, but because I could. I cleaned up, I cooked, but I also took a long bath and read a few chapters of my book. It was a little slice of heaven on earth. I think I'm going to put a bug in The Guy's ear about what a great "promise" present this would be for me...

We are holed up today and tomorrow at the very least, not going to set foot outside except to go and make sure the animals all have food and water and heat lamps are up and running. Lots of baking and reading and cleaning on the agenda. We are hosting a small group Christmas party here tomorrow so we need to get everything in order. Happy Christmas preparations, everyone.

Baby It's Cold Outside....

The rebel in me is screaming and fighting against the daily post count I've set myself up for in the Advent Photo Diary series. It's fun and all, but it doesn't give me any time to do anything else here. I'm not ditching it. I'll upload stuff as we go here and there, maybe doing 2 or 3 days in one post or something, or just do a day here and there instead of an exhaustive diary. But today I feel like doing something else. Cause it's cold. And I'm feeling all warm. And I want to spread the warmth.

Now, bear in mind, when I say cold, I mean.... COLD.

We're talkin' 40 below with wind chill cold....

That's cold enough to bring the frost INSIDE our old storm windows....

and decorate the bathroom window with some natural lace
and make the handle of the storm window look like it belongs to the Ice Queen's Palace.

But have no fear cause baby it's warm inside.

Blanket and Book Warm

Fall Asleep on the Couch to the Sounds of A Christmas Carol Warm

Afternoon Nap Warm

Butter Tart Warm

Pop on over to the Pantry if you'd like the recipe

Supercalifragilisticexpi-halitosis...

I am feeling terrible that I have a half dozen new followers and commenters that I haven't even been able to "meet" properly yet. I promise that first chance I get I will pop over to your respective abodes and get to know you properly. Between being sick, and all the extra "things" that fill the hours of our holiday calendar I have not even been able to keep up with my photo diary of advent as you can see from the 3 back-posts up in one day =)

Today, to make up for my absence here, and for your viewing pleasure, I present, The Chick with no voice, The funny faced Punkin' and The Guy with... halitosis? (not really, but it was pretty funny just the same). Just another little glimpse into everyday silliness around here...

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 13

Hope of the Nations.

In his name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12:21

Not only the world, but we also have been waiting with pain inside us. We have the Spirit as the first part of God's promise. So we are waiting for God to finish making us his own children, which means our bodies will be made free. We were saved, and we have this hope. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have. But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. Romans 8:23-25

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." Romans 15:12

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Theme; Hope
Symbol; color green
Action; hands on heart
Song, Jesus, Hope of the Nations

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 12

Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5,6

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:16

Theme; Fruit of the Spirit
Symbol; berries
Action; bite into fruit

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 11

The Holy Spirit.

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22

Theme; The Holy Spirit
Symbol, The Dove
Key Word; Spirit
Action; bird wings with hands
Song; Breath of Heaven

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 10

Instruments of Praise

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2

Advent Symbol; harps and lyres
Key Word; Praise
Action; Waving hands of praise in air
Song; Hark The Herald Angels Sing; Oh Come All Ye Faithful; Angels from the Realms of Glory.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 9

The Cup
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27, 28

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:17 ,20

Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:25

He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 26:42

Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" John 18:11


Symbol; cup and grapes
Key Word, Cup
Action at key word; cupping sign with hands
Song; The Holly and the Ivy

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 8

God So Loved the World.

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. John 3:16,17

God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace. II Corinthians 5:19

That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him. Ephesians 1:4

What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

Symbol, papier mache balls
Key Word; World
Key Action at word; make ball with hands
Song; Joy to the World.

Advent ~ A Photo Diary ~ Day 7

Ribbons and Bows, The Gift.

When people work, their pay is not given as a gift, but as something earned. But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. Romans 4:4


For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23


Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words. 2 Corinthians 9:15


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17


The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17


Key Word; Gift
Action at key word; proffered hands
Song; We are the Reason